Cell and Developmental Biology

Cells are a basic building block of life. Diseases and disorders like cancer, diabetes, meningitis or even a 'stomach bug' are caused by dysfunction at a cellular or molecular level.

This major provides students with a broad understanding of the structure and functions of cells and the genetic, molecular and cellular basis of development in a range of organisms and experimental models. Taught by experts in several disciplines, it will specifically provide understanding of methodologies used in cell and developmental biology research and how this knowledge can be applied as technologies to improve the human condition.

Dramatic advances in this field have shed light on numerous disorders in plants and animals and provided technologies to solve significant problems but also raised ethical issues for society (such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), birth control, stem cell technology, reproductive/therapeutic cloning and genetically manipulated foods/crops).

Career Options

Graduates with a major in Cell and Developmental Biology can pursue career paths in research or diagnostic laboratories, biotechnology, government agencies, agriculture, journalism and the medico-legal area.

Graduate Pathways

Bachelor of Biomedicine graduates with a Cell and Developmental Biology major are very well placed for further study in honours, graduate professional entry degrees or, upon completion of appropriate research training preparation following the Bachelor of Biomedicine, research higher degrees.

Honours Depending on the major undertaken, students may apply for an Honours program upon completion of the Bachelor of Biomedicine.

Graduate Professional Entry Degrees For students who wish to continue professional studies at graduate level, the degree provides a pathway into a range of graduate professional entry programs, some of which also provide research training.

Research Higher Degrees For students who wish to explore biomedicine research questions in greater depth, there will be opportunities to proceed to Research Higher Degrees at masters and doctoral level. Research training preparation within the Honours year, Postgraduate Diploma or a Masters degree will be required as preparation for a research higher degree.

Sample Course Plan

Bachelor of Biomedicine - Cell and Devlopmental Biology Major, Reproduction and Development Specialisation

Year 1

Semester 1

BIOL10002Biomolecules & Cells

MAST10011Experimental Design & Date Analysis

CHEM10006Chemistry for Biomedicine

UNIB10006Critical Thinking with Data

Semester 2

BIO10003Genes & Environment

MAST10016Mathematics for Biomedicine

PHYC10007Physics for Biomedicine

MULT10013Sustainability in Developing Communities

Year 2

Semester 1

BIOM20001Molecular & Cellular Biomedicine

BCMB20005Techniques in Molecular Science

POPH20001Genetics, Health & Society

Semester 2

BIOM20002Human Structure & Function

BIOL20001Evolution: Making Sense of Life

MULT20011Communicating Science & Technology

Year 3

Semester 1

BIOM30002Biomedicine: Molecule to Malady

CEDB30002Concepts in Cell & Developmental Biology

BCMB30002Functional Genomics & Bioinformatics

HPSC30023Science & Society

Semester 2

BIOM30001Frontiers in Biomedicine

CEDB30003Developmental Biology

CEDB30004Stem Cells in Development & Regeneration

EDUC30071Knowledge & Learning in Professions

*This is a sample course plan only. Subjects offered may change from year to year. Current subject offerings available in the University Handbook.*The breadth subjects featured in this plan are examples only. You must complete at least four breadth subjects in this degree.

*This is a sample course plan only. Subjects offered may change from year to year. Current subject offerings available in the University Handbook.*The breadth subjects featured in this plan are examples only. You must complete at least four breadth subjects in this degree.